Just weeks after making their first March Madness appearance in a decade, Robert Morris found themselves grappling with the high cost of success in this transfer portal era. After storming through the Horizon League to clinch both the regular season and tournament titles the Colonials hardly have anyone returning. All five starters from the 2024–25 Horizon League Championship team have entered the transfer portal, a staggering development and nightmare for a program that appeared to be on the rise.
The headline departure is Horizon League Player of the Year Alvaro Folgueiras, who announced his commitment to Iowa last week. The 6-foot-9 forward from Malaga, Spain was a force on both ends of the floor this season, averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. He capped his Colonial career with a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds against Alabama in the first round of March Madness where they took the Crimson Tide down to the wire. Folgueiras drew interest from powerhouses like Kentucky and Villanova, but ultimately chose to join the Big Ten as a Hawkeye under new head coach Ben McCollum.
Another headline departure, Amarion Dickerson, the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, who will be heading way west to USC. Dickerson is a Cleveland native and left his mark at RMU this season, setting single-game and single-season block records while showcasing his two-way capabilities. The 6’7” wing racked up 8 blocks against Detroit Mercy and 82 blocks on the year! His 25-point, 9-rebound performance in the March Madness opening round helped prove his value as a big-game performer.
The Colonials Point guard DJ Smith is on the move yet again after stints with Little Rock and Bowling Green before coming to RMU for this past season. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 assists this season and three days ago he made the decision to continue his journey at Mercer. His steady hand, experience, and ability to facilitate helped guide the Colonials' offense through the season.
Meanwhile, the other two starters are weighing out their options. Kam Woods was the teams leading scorer averaging 14.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. So far he has reportedly received offers from Cincinnati, San Diego State, Charlotte, and several other mid-major programs. Josh Omojafo, also entered the portal. The 6’5” shooting guard transferred to RMU after spending two years with Division II Gannon University and immediately proved he belonged at the D1 level, averaging 11.4 points and starting 33 of 34 games.
It’s not only starters who are transferring elsewhere . Reserve forward Antallah Sandlin’El and guard Dilen Miller have also hit the portal. Sandlin’El appeared in just nine games but showed flashes averaging 4 point on very limited minutes. Miller, another bench contributor, has yet to finalize his next stop and is also weighing out his options.
Graduation has also claimed two veteran role players: Chris Ford and Ishmeal Plet. Ryan Pather Jr., who averaged 8 points and Tanner O’Grady, who logged just seven minutes last season, are the only returning players currently committed to stay in Moon Township. Head coach Andrew Toole, no stranger to rebuilding, now faces one of the most significant roster reset challenges of his career.